Each morning, I boil water in our turquoise electric kettle.
I make coffee in a big, insulated French press.
I set two cups on the table, one with milk for myself and one with care for my love of life.
The room is quickly filled with the inviting smell of freshly ground coffee and the warm morning sunshine.
Each morning, if it is not the magical hands of my love of life that push the press and pour our liquid morning routine, I am faced with a dilemma:
Which cup do I pour first?
The answer is not set in stone, nor should it be.
It depends on what feels important to me that day.
Did I leave it long enough for the optimal taste? I should pour mine first and verify.
Do I think the first sip will be the best? I will pour theirs first.
Do I want to prevent them from drinking possible grains floating from my potentially imperfect seal? Well, I should pour mine.
To an outside observer only seeing me pour, I contradict myself, but what matters is the why.
The routine of preparation is mindless, but the pouring is the key moment of secret mindfulness. It carries meaning and love.
A small decision made hundreds of times a year might mean more than a big one made once. Doing it mindfully changes the meaning and its weight.
That’s where the stereotype of relationships taking work comes from.
It is not work, though.
It is striving to give your best to the person who means the most.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: The Design Lady On Unsplash
